Hello, it’s your health buddy! Let’s feel better together. Today, I’m here to share some symptom insights and helpful tips about How to Respond in an Emergency. Let’s dive in!
From choking and unconsciousness to puncture wounds, severe bleeding, and burns—here are essential first aid responses for everyday emergency situations.
What to Do in Case of Choking?
If someone is choking on a foreign object, they may not be able to speak, their facial and neck veins may bulge, and their lips may turn blue. In this case, stand behind the person, clasp your hands together, and perform abdominal thrusts (Heimlich maneuver) between the chest and belly button. This sharp abdominal pressure can push the diaphragm upward and increase chest pressure, helping expel the object blocking the airway.
If the person has collapsed and lost consciousness, lay them flat on the ground. Sit with their thighs between your knees to maintain control. Place the heel of one hand between the person's navel and sternum, stack the other hand on top, and press down with enough force to dislodge the obstruction. Repeat up to four times if necessary.
For children, place them face down across your knees with their head tilted downward and deliver firm back blows to the center of the upper back. Repeat 3–4 times if needed. For infants, use a similar technique but apply less pressure.
What If Someone Suddenly Collapses and Loses Consciousness?
Fainting is usually a brief loss of consciousness. If the person looks unstable, gently guide their head between their knees and encourage deep breathing. Loosen any tight clothing around the chest, waist, or neck. Once they regain consciousness, help them sit upright, but do not give them anything to eat or drink until they are fully alert.
If the person is experiencing a seizure, do not attempt to restrain them. Lay them on their side in a safe area, and remove nearby objects to prevent injury. After the seizure, if they become unresponsive or vomit, continue to keep them lying on their side to avoid airway obstruction.
What to Do If Someone Is Stabbed with a Sharp Object?
If someone is pierced by a sharp object, do not move or remove the object. Doing so can worsen bleeding and damage nearby nerves and blood vessels. Instead, carefully wrap a clean cloth or gauze around the object and transport the person to a hospital immediately.
If a body part has been amputated, place it in a plastic bag and then put that bag into a container with ice water. Keeping the tissue cool can help preserve it for possible reattachment.
What If the Bleeding Won’t Stop?
If the wound is small or the bleeding is not rapid, apply direct pressure to control it. Use your fingers, hands, or wrap a bandage tightly over clean gauze. Cover the wound with gauze or a pad, then wrap it with a 4–6 inch elastic bandage to maintain pressure. If you don’t have gauze, a handkerchief or clean clothing can be used as a substitute.
If bleeding continues despite local pressure, try pressing on the artery upstream of the injury to slow the bleeding. However, since wounds may be affected by multiple arteries, this should not be used as the primary or only method to stop bleeding.
Tourniquets may be used for severe bleeding but must be applied with caution, as they can lead to complications such as nerve damage or tissue necrosis around the area.
What If Someone Gets Burned?
First, assess whether a large area is affected (over 10% of the body), whether the pain is severe, if blisters have formed, or if the person has lost consciousness. For minor burns, cool the area under cold running water or immerse it in cold water until the pain subsides. Applying a cold compress or ice pack wrapped in cloth also helps. Be cautious not to use high-pressure water.
For more severe burns, the skin may become red, swollen, and blistered. In extreme cases, the skin turns white and the underlying nerves may be damaged, eliminating pain sensations. Just like with minor burns, it’s crucial to cool the affected area under cold water for around 20 minutes. For sensitive areas like the ears, eyes, or nose, use a cold wet towel or an ice pack wrapped in cloth.
Avoid letting dirt or foreign objects touch the burn area. If the burn is serious, do not forcibly remove clothing or fabric stuck to the wound.
Your health buddy is here for you. Wishing you a healthy and happy day ahead. Stay well!💖
This content is for informational purposes only and does not hold any individual or entity legally responsible. For accurate diagnosis and treatment of symptoms, please visit a nearby medical institution. This does not represent my final medical opinion and may vary depending on specific circumstances and evolving medical perspectives.
